Police cordon off area after report of sexual assault

Scene investigators at the Rotary Pathway in Taradale after reports of a sexual assault there. Photo/Duncan Brown.

Police have cordoned off a large area of a riverbank walkway near Taradale after a report of a sexual assault on a woman while she was out running last night.

The young woman was running along the river stopbank near the Pettigrew Green Arena between 6pm and 7pm last night when she was sexually assaulted by a male. The woman received some injuries to her face and neck after the male grabbed her.

The man is described as a light-skinned Maori of solid build aged between 25 and 30.

Residents said an area of the Rotary Pathway on the Taradale side of the Tutaekuri River had been cordoned off since last night.

The area stretched from near the the rear of the Pettigrew.Green Arena to near the boundary of Tareha Park Reserve.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who saw a male acting suspiciously around the Pettigrew Green Arena, EIT or Taradale Rugby Club area yesterday evening. Police are also interested in any reports of males acting suspiciously in the area over the last few weeks.

If you have information about this person, contact Detective Glenn Restieaux at HB Police on 06 8310700 or information can be left anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.